"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the dessert."
Isaiah 43:18-19

Christmas brings a flood of new things, and with it a mad rush for new storage and making room. This year, in effort to make room, each of my children has a large bag which they must fill with toys for the "poor children." Sometimes, parting with the old is difficult. The process takes days of hard work, rearranging, and redefining spaces. My children are prone to complaining and crying through the experience, but as they see the final results take shape, their hearts begin to show gratitude. They give their once treasured toys away as if it was their idea in the beginning.

This is the same way we go through spiritual change. The Lord suggests a change, and we baulk. We submit, but we are sometimes reluctant to the process, because it hurts. As His plan unfolds, we see the beauty and the joy He intends for us, and we are filled with gratitude. We walk into the new realms He lays out for us as if we planned to go there all along. He smiles on us as we learn to trust Him in the process of sanctification. He is a good Father, full of loving kindness.

Today I realized, the Lord has been doing a new thing in our lives! I wrote a letter, and while re-reading it, I was astounded at how many times I had used the word "new." Our recent (November 2008) church plant is called "New Covenant Communities;" we have a new home; Thomas has a new job; we are about to start a new business; we have some significant new friendships; and some beautiful old friendships are turning a new corner!

The past five years have been years of incredible, uncomfortable, and overwhelming change and transition. We have had our moments of joy and happiness through all the change, but I would be lying if I didn't say, it has been hard. Recently, though, I sense the Lord speaking of a time of peace. I am excited and grateful and humbled at His care for us. This new thing He is doing has been a deep work in us. He has made room in our hearts and our home for an abundance I could not have hoped for before.

I love that He is not finished and moves us from glory to glory. As my dear husband says, "He is the God of the process." And so, I will throw off all that entangles and run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to the author and perfector of my faith who does all things well! May He find us faithful to share what He has given us and hold our treasures with open hands for His good purposes.